New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) officials announced the activation of overhead lane control use signs (LUCS) alerting motorists when they can use the shoulder as a travel lane, as a roadway improvement project begins in South Brunswick.
Motorists have been able to use the shoulder on Route 1 between Independence Way and Promenade Boulevard as a travel lane during peak travel hours since 2017, which is known as “hard shoulder running,” according to information provided by DOT on March 9.
Route 1 is three lanes before and after this section of the highway, causing a bottleneck and delays where the three lanes merge to two lanes. Hard shoulder running during peak periods has been shown to keep traffic flowing, reduce congestion and improve safety, according to the statement.
This is permitted Monday through Friday, from 6-9 a.m. and from 4-7 p.m.
On March 8, DOT activated the LUCS altering motorists when they can use the shoulder as a travel lane. The signs display a green arrow during peak travel hours when the shoulder may be used, and a red “X” during all other times when hard shoulder running is not permitted. This is expected to improve safety and increase compliance, according to the statement.
The sign activation has been coordinated with the beginning of a project to make permanent improvements to support hard shoulder running in this area. Beginning at 9 a.m. March 11 until 4 p.m., and again during the same hours on March 12, DOT’s contractor, Earle Asphalt, is scheduled to close the shoulder on Route 1 in South Brunswick between Promenade Boulevard/CR 522 and College Road as part of a moving operation. This will allow the contractor to install construction signs.
Additional shoulder closures will be required in the coming weeks to allow the contractor to make drainage improvements and complete concrete repairs, according to the statement These closures will be limited to Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during non-peak hours.
The $2.9 million state-funded Route 1, College Road to County Route 522 project includes milling and paving, concrete repairs, drainage improvements and traffic signal upgrades along three miles of Route 1. The project is anticipated to be complete in the fall.
The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check DOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information.
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